Pamela Appleby
No one likes to hear “no” so I view it as my job to always figure out a way to say “yes.” If the hotel you want is sold out, I will either get you in or find you something even better. If you want to go to the Australian Open at the last minute or see the “Pieta” in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City without crowds of people around you, I can arrange it.
Everyone has a different idea of luxury, but to me, planning a luxury trip is about making a trip as seamless as possible, providing value-added perk and upgrades, and ensuring you are treated as a VIP wherever you go. It also means providing access to unique experiences.
The VIP treatment often begins with a meet-and-greet service that whisks you through the airport. Your hotel will be expecting you and will usually greet you with a special treat, such as a bottle of wine or fruit basket in your room.
My connections in the industry and access to benefits through Protravel and Virtuoso unlock wonderful amenities for my clients. These include space-available upgrades of one or more categories at many of the world’s top hotels, fare breaks on many first and business class tickets. Plus, many hotels also provide spa and food credits and early check-in or late check-out to my clients as well as personal VIP greetings.
I also pride myself on hiring top tour guides in each destination who are a perfect match for your interests. In my opinion, that is the best way to deepen your experience and make the best use of your time in a destination. A great private guide will make sure you visit the Mona Lisa before the tour groups arrive so you will not be jostling with a zillion people for a view.
Plus, in addition to streamlining your visit to a museum such as the Louvre in Paris, so you see the highlights of the collection or your favorite artists, your guide will share anecdotes and little known facts that make the art come alive. Families often enjoy going on a treasure hunt at the Louvre or getting a behind-the-scenes tour at Buckingham Palace.
Special access can also mean getting entrance into the shows during fashion week in Milan, tickets to Wimbledon or a backstage experience at the Sydney Opera House. Or perhaps, you would enjoy having a famous chef create a private dinner for you in some off-beat locale. If you are willing to pay for private access, I can even arrange for you to see a work like Michelangelo’s “Last Supper” by yourselves.
If you can dream it, I can make it happen.